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GoodRx Guide
Reproductive Health: Fertility, Family Planning, Menopause, and More
Written by Sarah Gupta, MD | Reviewed by Sophie Vergnaud, MD
Published on June 24, 2022Reproductive health
A woman’s reproductive health changes over her lifetime — starting with her first period around age 12 and continuing through menopause around age 50. But no matter what stage of life you’re in, you deserve to have the facts about your reproductive health. That’s why here at GoodRx we have the information you need to understand your body. We’ve got you covered from puberty and childbearing to perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
We know that people (and their bodies) come in all shapes and sizes — and that no two people’s paths are the same. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to reproductive health. All the same, our hope is that you’ll find the information you need here, no matter your values or where you are in your reproductive journey.
Read on for more information about fertility, birth control options, pregnancy choices, and where to go for additional support.
Fertility
For many (but not all) women, pregnancy is a welcome part of life. And if you’re trying to get pregnant, you may have questions about the best way to conceive, like:
When am I most likely to get pregnant?
Are at-home fertility tests worth the money?
How long will it take me to conceive?
We also know that even if you don’t want to get pregnant immediately (or ever), you may want to keep your options open. Understanding the range of choices — like egg freezing, surrogacy, and adoption — can help you to make the best decision for your future.
Birth control
Women who want to prevent pregnancy have many options for birth control. Birth control makes it less likely for sperm to reach an egg and start a pregnancy. Some types of birth control contain hormones and some don’t.
Because there are so many choices, it can be hard to know which birth control is right for you. We’ve got a wide variety of information to help you decide, including for folks who are transgender or nonbinary.
The most common form of hormonal birth control is the birth control pill. But there are other hormonal options that are a better fit for some people. Here are some alternatives to the pill:
There are also birth control methods that don’t use hormones. Nonhormonal options include:
Diaphragms
Birth control sponges
Spermicide
Cervical caps
Surgery (vasectomy or tubal ligation)
Lifestyle choices (like breastfeeding or abstinence)
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception (EC) is birth control that you take after having sex. It’s an option if you don’t want to become pregnant but didn’t use birth control before or during sex. It’s also an option if you think your birth control didn’t work — maybe you forgot to take your pills or the condom broke.
It’s important to know that EC is not the same as abortion. Abortion stops a pregnancy, while EC prevents a pregnancy from starting.
There are three options for EC:
Levonorgestrel pill (including the brand Plan B)
Copper IUD
Abortion
If you’re considering abortion, you deserve to know your options. Understanding different types of abortion and your state laws can help you make the decision that’s right for you and your loved ones.
There are two types of abortion:
Surgical abortion is a medical procedure that takes place in a clinic or hospital.
Medication abortion (also called “abortion pills” or “Plan C”) refers to pills that you take at home or at a healthcare facility.
Talking to a healthcare provider can also help you decide which type of abortion is the best fit for your personal needs and overall health.
Pregnancy options
People who are pregnant have three choices:
Parenting: You go through pregnancy, give birth, and raise the child.
Abortion: You stop the pregnancy before giving birth.
Adoption: You go through pregnancy and have someone else raise the child.
No matter what choice you make, we’ve got you covered with usable information that’s based on the latest medical and scientific information. We’re with you every step of the way, whether you go through a full pregnancy, choose an abortion, or have a miscarriage. We also have tips if you’re raising a child.
Pregnancy support
Finding out you’re pregnant can come with a wide range of feelings — from joy and anxiety to confusion and more. That’s why we’re here to help. And we’ll do that by giving you solid information about what to expect during and after your pregnancy — no matter whether it was planned or unplanned.
If you decide to go all the way through pregnancy and deliver a baby, there’s lots to know. Your body goes through many changes, both physical and mental, which continue even after the baby is born. Understanding what to expect — and where to get support if you need it — can go a long way toward helping you navigate this life transition.
Perimenopause, menopause, and beyond
Most women will complete menopause in their 50s. Completing menopause means that your body’s fertility declines and stops so that you no longer have a period. Once you’ve gone through menopause, you can no longer get pregnant. But many people continue to enjoy a satisfying sex life for many more decades.
Though menopause isn’t a medical condition (it’s a life change, like puberty), many women have symptoms, including:
Mood swings
And believe it or not, these symptoms can start up to a decade before you finish menopause — sometimes called “perimenopause.”
More women than ever are living long, vital lives. Even so, many people don’t know what to expect from this time period. That’s why we’re dedicated to bringing you the facts, so that you can understand your changing body.
Resources and tools for reproductive health
Get treatment with GoodRx Care
Chat with a healthcare provider about common reproductive health needs, from birth control to emergency contraception:
